Chapter 775: Chapter 775

During these moments, an elderly man was lecturing in the grand hall. He spoke fluently and confidently. Behind him hung a massive black mirror, which displayed diagrams of the human anatomy, alongside some basic principles and commonly encountered issues in practice.

"Foundations of the Fen Dao sciences…"

A brief talk on sitting meditation and the ancient technique of forgetting oneself...

The origins of the Nine Palace Trigrams...

The significance of cultivating the three souls and seven spirits...

The elderly man spoke eloquently, but unfortunately, the dozens of students seated below paid little attention.

Most of these students were around eleven or twelve years old. They wore identical long robes. They were either whispering among themselves, or dozing off in boredom, with unread books lying on their desks.

"Ah! Asking to become an Immortal, grasping longevity is never easy... How can you expect to achieve anything with such average talent if you refuse to work hard? You cannot carve rotten wood into success!"

The elderly man was clearly accustomed to this scene. After muttering a few remarks, he gave up further interrogation and instead focused on explaining the Fen Dao fundamentals himself.

In fact, in six years, these ninth graders would graduate. The Fendao School had faced unresolved challenges for years. Few students were diligent. Many among them could sit here for six years without advancing far in their cultivation of Fen Dao.

The so-called laws of the country are mirrored in the immortal laws. Immortals have their rules too.

On the Sky Dome Continent, the winds of progress flourished, enlightening hearts and minds. Regardless of one's origin, be it from the countryside or city, anyone could practice immortality. Only upon completing their study on immortality could they obtain personal identity markers, pursue practices, learn the arts, or engage further in cultivation… upon adulthood, at least one wouldn't be shameful in society.

Of course, there are exceptions. Zhuo Yunfen served as the anomaly of the ninth grade in six years.

Zhuo Yunxian was born into an immortal lineage, inheriting his parents' storied bloodline. Not only was he a brilliant child, but also exceptionally gifted, excelling in learning at a young age. Furthermore, his disposition was gentle, exhibiting greater calmness and rationality than most peers of his age. However, tragically, he had been born with a fatal flaw—lacked vitality tied to longevity.

Humans possess three souls and seven spirits, representing the core of life and symbolizing perfection.

Yet, to truly transform one's practice into immortal mastery, one must awaken the three souls, fuse the seven spirits, unlock the body's latent potential, and ultimately consolidate the foundations of immortality.

The name "Zhuo Yunfen" embodied his parents' aspirations—that their son would live long and prosper. Unfortunately, when Zhuo Yunxian turned six, his family tested his three souls and seven spirits, only to discover that Zhuo Yunfen had none.

Indeed, despite Zhuo Yunxian's intelligence and outwardly normal behavior since childhood, he was inherently impaired and unwilling to dedicate himself to cultivation. Even as a child, his physique remained weak and sickly. Without cures provided by Taoists and spiritual pills to sustain him, Zhuo Yunfen might have passed away long ago.

The elderly man had clearly noticed Zhuo Yunxian, as he was the only student still listening attentively in class.

No matter one's family background, the elderly man appreciated but also lamented the rarity of diligent students.

Zhuo Yunxian had spent six years in Fendao School never arriving late nor leaving early. Whenever he had free time, he would immerse himself in the school library, devouring all sorts of cultivation materials.

A prodigy cultivating steadily toward the Tao!

However, as time passed and great upheaval befell the heavens, the methods of cultivating immortality underwent dramatic changes.

"Ancient Fen Dao featured ten realms: Spiral Ascension, Divine Light, Fusion, Mind Unity, Spiritual Silence, Zhuangyuan Ying, Chuding Initiation, Divine Separation, Second Fusion, and Heavenly Robbery… after surviving the robbery came the Mahayana Realm, where Mr. Yong's domain would loom before the cultivator. The failure of heavenly robbery always spelled disaster. Cultivators could consider pursuing the path of Scattered Immortals, but every thousand years they would face heavenly lightning and ridicule. Those who could withstand it ascended peacefully; those who couldn't would lose their soul and perish into ash."

Zhuo Yunxian demonstrated remarkable clarity in his elaborations, leaving the elderly man unable to pick out any flaws or omissions.

When the term "soul's extinguishment" resonated across the forty-minute lesson, the surrounding students instantly turned pale, eyes rife with fear. The dangers inherent in ancient Fen Dao were palpable.

After a brief pause, Zhuo Yunxian continued, "Ancient Fen Dao was exceedingly intricate and perilous. However, over time, its lineage dwindled, eventually simplifying into eight realms: Qi Refinement, Qi Tower, Jiedan Foundation, Yuan Ying Core, God Replenishing, Void Supplement, Unified Body, and Mahayana Ascension. Although the cultivation process was streamlined considerably, achieving results became significantly harder. Even those without profound spiritual origins struggled to touch the threshold of immortality. Beyond this point, immortality presented an entirely different paradigm. Immortal cultivators dominated society, controlling humanity's fates—mortals reduced to ants, drowning in relentless suffering."

"You're correct. You seem to be quite knowledgeable about ancient Fen Dao."

The elderly man nodded slightly in appreciation, encouraging him further, "Tell me then, how do the ancient immortal cultivators differ from those of our Sky Dome Continent?"

Zhuo Yunfen's friend abruptly stood up, instantly drawing the collective attention of his classmates.

The student's name was Bao Datong. Chubby and diminutive, he was nicknamed "Short Bao" by his classmates. Nevertheless, Bao Datong possessed simple wisdom, an optimistic temperament, and approachable manners, fostering amicable relations with peers.

If Zhuo Yunfen had any friends in this cohort, Bao Datong was his closest companion. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novｅlfire.net

Youthful exuberance often inclined children toward attention-seeking behavior.

The elderly man didn't mind, chuckling as he said, "Bao Datong, since you're so spirited, why don't you answer?"

Bao Datong eagerly stood, proudly glancing at Zhuo Yunfen. It was his turn to shine.

Zhuo Yunxian smiled, resuming his seat.

Then, with great theatricality, Bao Datong declared, "Ancient immortals prioritized obtaining qualifications of the divine rank, seconded by cultivating opportunities, intrinsic comprehension, and mental fortitude. But here in the Sky Dome Continent, we practice awakening the three souls, refining the seven spirits, establishing two bridges, gathering focus… without dividing realms. Everyone can tread the path of Fen Dao."

He puffed out his chest and added triumphantly, "Moreover, many ancient immortals were selfish, chasing the heavens without ever returning to them. Even for celestial riches, they disregarded heavenly harmony, leaving galaxies destroyed and their life force exhausted. But in the Sky Dome Continent, our practices differ. Fen Dao's techniques are graciously shared among all. Even the mightiest Fen Dao cultivators refuse to exploit the weaker ones or commit massacres indiscriminately."

Bao Datong's explanation encompassed Fen Dao Laws, as enforced on Jiuzhou Three Islands by the Eye of Void. The Fen Dao Association presided over penalties for all but the most heinous violations.

Quite simply, this was a disciplined Immortal Realm. Immortals enjoyed esteemed statuses and privileged lifestyles, yet bore responsibilities toward preserving harmony in Sky Dome's prosperity, defending against alien races, and combating demonic corruption. Even the gravest offenders faced trial under Fen Dao Law before being sent to the Immortal Slaying Stage.

To be fair, such restrictions inspired greater accountability and introspection among immortal cultivators, while allowing ordinary humans breathing room for survival and growth. This progress ushered Sky Dome Continent into a prosperous era.

The elderly man nodded slightly, turning unexpectedly to Zhuo Yunxian and asking, "What are your thoughts, Zhuo Yunxian?"

Zhuo Yunxian hadn't anticipated the question, but after brief contemplation, he responded, "Actually, Bao Datong is correct. Ancient and modern immortals practice differently, their purposes differing as well. Nonetheless, whether in the past or present, the ultimate goal of cultivation remains the same—to ascend and achieve unity with the Divine Tao."